The United States has raised concerns over what officials describe as a growing Cuban drone capability, amid intelligence reports that Cuba has acquired hundreds of military drones from Russia and Iran. According to classified intelligence shared withAxios,Cuban officials have recently discussed potential plans for using drones against the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, US military vessels and possibly targets near Key West.
US officials toldAxiosthey do not believe Cuba poses an imminent military threat or is actively preparing attacks, but said discussions within Cuba's military had increasingly focused on drone warfare should relations with Washington continue to deteriorate.
A senior US official described the development as "a growing threat". "When we think about those types of technologies being that close, and a range of bad actors from terror groups to drug cartels to Iranians to the Russians, it's concerning," the official said.
The report saidJohn Ratcliffe travelled to Cubaon Thursday, where he warned officials against engaging in hostile actions. A CIA official toldAxiosthat Ratcliffe also urged Cuba to abandon its political system in order to end longstanding US sanctions.
"Director Ratcliffe made clear that Cuba can no longer serve as a platform for adversaries to advance hostile agendas in our hemisphere," the official said. "The Western Hemisphere cannot be our adversaries' playground."
US officials also said the Department of Justice was preparing to unseal an indictment against Raúl Castro over allegations connected to the 1996 downing of two aircraft operated by the Miami-based group Brothers to the Rescue.
US officials said Cuba had acquired more than 300 drones of "varying capabilities" since 2023 and had positioned them at strategic sites across the island. Within the past month, officials said Cuba had sought additional military equipment from Russia.
The report also cited intelligence intercepts indicating Cuban officials were studying how Iran had resisted US pressure and military action.
American officials have long expressed concern over Russian and Chinese intelligence facilities in Cuba used for signals intelligence collection. Speaking during a congressional hearing, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said: "We've long been concerned that a foreign adversary using that kind of location that close to our shores is highly problematic."
Cuba's embassy later issued a statement on X defending the country's right to maintain defensive capabilities. "Like any country, Cuba has the right to defend itself against external aggression. It is called self-defense, and it is protected by International Law and the UN Charter," the statement said.
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